Chapter 013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 013\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~Kaia~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sneaked out the dimly lit corridors, a shawl wrapped around my shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Packhouse felt colder tonight \u2013 too many eyes, too many whispers that stopped when I walked past.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had gone out to look for Maliya. Or maybe that\u2019s a good cover up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to see beyond the four corners of my chambers. So,I did.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked softly. Trying to avoid bringing attention to myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I moved like someone without feet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tiptoeing. Not too loudly\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two guards stood near the stairwell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unaware of my presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Elders are furious,\u201d One muttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think this outsider is worth risking our Alpha\u2019s throne?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s already done it. Half the council\u2019s saying Theo\u2019s judgment compromised the Pack\u2019s safety. Maybe it\u2019s time,his brother takes over -Someone the Pack can trust\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. Shocked. My breath caught in my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHis brother?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien. He\u2019s already got the Council\u2019s ears. They say the Pack needs a leader who doesn\u2019t let strays into the Packlands\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien is quite formidable. He would make a good Alpha. Still, Alpha Theo has my support\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLoyal. Huh?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t help myself. Alpha Theo is my leader all after. Haha\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their laughter echoed after that, sharp as daggers, clutching my\u00a0<\/p>\n
throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I slipped away before they could see me, heart pounding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t realize I\u2019ve been holding my breath until I reached my chambers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thought wouldn\u2019t stop repeating. Theo had risked everything \u2013 his reputation, his authority and now the whispers had teeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed a trembling hand against the window, staring at the moon beyond the misted glass.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It had watched me fall once before. Maybe it was warning me not to stay long enough to drag someone else\u00a0<\/p>\n
down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maliya entered quietly, setting down a tray. \u201cYou didn\u2019t eat, my lady-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d I corrected softly. \u201cJust Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl hesitated, eyes full of worry. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving, aren\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo won\u2019t let you-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned, forcing a smile that didn\u2019t reach my eyes. \u201cHe won\u2019t have to. I\u2019ll be gone before dawn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later that night, I packed what little I had: herbs, bandages, a dagger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every movement felt heavier than the last.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My wound still ached, but the ache in my chest was worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 013\u00a0<\/p>\n
If staying meant Theo losing his throne, I couldn\u2019t be selfish enough to stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t want to leave either. For some weird reason,my heart is shattered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the doorway, I looked back once. The room still smelled faintly of him \u2013 cedar and smoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for saving me once, Alpha Theo\u201d I muttered silently. \u201cNow I\u2019ll save you in return. I won\u2019t drag you down with me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I slipped into the corridor and disappeared into the cold night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
~Theo\u2019s POV~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
By morning, Beta Zane burst into my study, eyes grim.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane said. \u201cYou won\u2019t believe what the Council had planned\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me right now,\u201d I ordered, annoyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council reconvened. Asking to meet before dawn. They want you to be there\u201d Zane reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest twisted with annoyance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it too early? Before dawn? I hadn\u2019t finish my morning patrol yet and they want me at the council meeting again?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re calling it a loyalty inquiry.\u201c,\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw set. \u201cWhose loyalty?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beta Zane hesitated. \u201cYours, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the time I entered the council chamber, the tension was thick enough to choke on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elders Corwin and Daisy sat opposite him, parchment scrolls and sealed orders spread across the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Ashford,\u201d Corwin began smoothly, \u201cwe trust you understand that your recent decision to harbor a stray female has\u2026 unsettled the pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t sit. \u201cUnsettling is not treason.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Daisy said, her tone cutting. \u201cBut blindness can become treason if left unchecked. The Council has decided it\u2019s time Kaia earns her place here or exposes her deceit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will test her loyalty,\u201d Corwin said. \u201cHave her assist in the border infirmary. Under supervision. If she refuses or fails, she leaves Shadowclaw territory immediately.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt the air tighten around me,my wolf, Black inside bristling. \u201cYou\u2019d exile a woman who nearly died saving\u00a0<\/p>\n
me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not one of us,\u201d Daisy said flatly. \u201cAnd if you can\u2019t remember where your duty lies, perhaps your brother will remind you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The mention of Lucien was deliberate a blade disguised as a warning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands clenched at my sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I said finally, voice low and dangerous. \u201cShe\u2019ll prove herself. But this test, it\u2019ll be on my terms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After I said my piece, I left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not waiting around to be reminded again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reminded? More like threatened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later, I stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised my head to the moon. The fading moonlight spilling on my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moon goddess.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane joined me quietly. \u201cYou could have refused the order.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t look away from the moon. \u201cAnd give them reason to strip me of my command?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill,\u201d Zane pressed, \u201ctesting her loyalty doesn\u2019t that feel wrong?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened. \u201cIt feels necessary. And don\u2019t act like you care. You must be jumping with joy\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A pause.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s hiding something, Zane. Every instinct in me says she\u2019s not just some rogue survivor. Or a stray\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane folded his arms. \u201cAnd your instincts have never been wrong\u2026 but your heart might be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a humorless laugh. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I remember the difference anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After my morning walk, I go to see Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I came to check on Kaia, her room was empty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The window was cracked open, sunlight spilling over the untouched tray of food Maliya had left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s warning echoed in my head: Your heart might be wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hand brushed the windowsill. The faintest trace of her scent lingered there, fading into the night air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia\u2026\u201d I whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s gone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My head snapped up, looking at Zane,who looked worried. \u201cWhat do you mean, gone?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guards at the gate said she left before dawn. Alone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then a guard appeared in the doorway, panting. \u201cAlpha, the eastern gates \u2013 someone left before dawn. No clearance papers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest went cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFind her,\u201d I ordered, voice low and dangerous. \u201cBefore the Council does.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the guard ran off, Zane caught my arm. \u201cTheo, if the Council realizes she\u2019s gone, they\u2019ll claim she fled out of guilt. They\u2019ll use this as an excuse to question your credibility as Alpha of Shadowclaw Pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes glowed faint gold. Anger consuming me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I\u2019ll find her first. And anyone who dares touch her\u2026\u201d My voice dropped to a growl. \u201c\u2026will answer to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane patted my shoulder, comfortingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will send out a search party too. Be careful\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside, a storm broke over Shadowclaw Pack. The first rain of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside, my drumming thoughts echoed like thunder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heartbeat thundered in my ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside, the sky cracked with thunder, rain pouring heavily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A statement of my predicament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And for the first time in years, I Alpha Theo Ashford of Shadowclaw Pack felt the chill of fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sense of loss washing over me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something felt wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like an important piece of my life had just disappeared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I\u2019m nothing without it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 13 Chapter 013\u00a0 Chapter 013\u00a0 ~~Kaia~~\u00a0 I sneaked out the dimly lit corridors, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-nightshade-heir-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27258\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}